Hidden Gems: Meet Sylvia Villasenor Ortiz of Ortiz Psychological Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Villasenor Ortiz.

Hi Sylvia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My career in the mental health field begun in 1998, when I worked as a Senior Social Worker investigating child abuse cases in the Children and Family Services Department. Later, I moved to Superior Court in Orange County working in the Family Court Services Division as a Mediator and Investigator. Here my primarily responsibility was to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect as an expert witness while testifying on the stand and under oath for Family Court Judges. Additionally, I had the opportunity to mediate cases of parties going through the painful and lengthy process of divorce and legal separation. I was able to settle cases reaching comprehensive agreements thus, reducing litigation time in the Court process.

For the past eleven years, I have been serving as a solo practitioner in the city of Tustin, California. During this period, I have been treating children, teens, adults and couples navigating the complexities of life. I offer a warm and personal space for individuals to come and express their inner most feelings and emotions.

Today, I am quite fortunate to feel as passionate for the field I chose 25 years ago. To me there is no greater satisfaction than to be able to help mankind on client at a time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My struggles were a few. First I returned to school on a full time basis as a young married woman and while raising two school aged children. In addition, I was working full time as a senior social worker and finding time for homework, special assignments and presentations was quite a challenge.

At times there was guilt having to leave the children the evening hours in order to attend class, but my desire for higher education and to become and expert on the field gave me strength to carry on.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ortiz Psychological Services ?
Ortiz Psychological has been in existence since 2011. During this period, it has become known in the community as a leader in the mental health field serving school age children in the community. We also pride ourselves in offering a myriad service modalities including, Child Play Therapy, EMDR, Solution Focused, Psychodynamic among others.

Presently, I serve as a presenter in the Orange County Business Organization where I discuss a psychology / mental health topics especially, those trendy or alarming issues making headlines. I conclude presentations utilizing visual imagery, deep breathing or relaxation techniques to help attendees calm their anxieties and to remain in control.

I am also a guest collaborator writing educational and psychological articles for a local magazine in San Diego, CA. The past three years, I have been blessed with a growing popularity and having my articles translated into Spanish.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
In my field, I must stay current with the latest on mental health and psychology topics. I subscribe to Psychology Today and other field journals.

Contact Info:

• Website: Ortiz Psychological Services